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Sunday, May 07, 2017

Another Border Print Turner Dress

This fabric begged me to turn it into a Turner Dress - begged people really!So I was obliged to do so! *LOL*

Construction Information ~On my own I seem incapable of following the Turner Dress instructions. I really wanted a maxidress so I used up all of my extra fabric lengthening the skirt pattern. Fabric which should have been used for the bodice lining. I thought I would be able to make the lining from the leftover scraps but when I sewed the outside to the inside, it pulled funny. Probably because I cut one front & back piece on the lengthwise grain and one front & back piece on the straight grain. You would think that it wouldn't matter with a knit but it did...so I unpicked ALL of the BLACK stitching and topstitching.

At first I thought I would add black foldover elastic to the neckline because it's a great finish and it worked for my Turner Tunic which has the same neckline. However, after sleeping on it, I decided to stabilize the neckline with a bias iron on tape and fold, press and stitch. A cheater neckline and not at all what Jenny designed but hey when do I follow pattern instructions?!For the dress skirt, I added 5" to the lengthen and shorten line and another inch at the hemline. I really wanted a maxidress but I only had three yards and the skirt width takes up a large amount of fabric.After trying it on I removed about 1.5" from the center front where the pattern dips. The ITY knit was causing it to hang funny so it had to go. Originally I used 3/4 length sleeves but after adding the sweater it didn't work. I removed a couple of inches from the sleeve so the dress would work better with the sweater. Fabric Used ~I used 3 yards of an ITY knit that I bought at Fabric Mart during Carriage Corner Sew Camp. It was a find because it was only a dollar a yard. It's interesting that I bought this since I'm not a huge fan of ITY knits. I love the way the fabric takes color and the amazing prints that are available. I even like the stretch but sewing it...even wearing it because it's such a thin knit...not a big fan at all.Several pictures of the dress ~

Conclusion ~After constructing and putting it on, I wasn't that thrilled with the dress. I thought the print would pop more. It's nice and I will wear it especially since it cost me about $5 to make but I don't love it.This is how I will actually wear it ~

Finally, this is a simple sew and an easy to wear dress so there will probably be more versions sewn in the future, just in a heavier weight knit. I really want to make a maxidress version. But if not, then definitely this fall, it will look great in a ponte with tights and shoe booties.A Photography Note ~I took these myself. My daughter had some other plans this weekend and since the grandbabies are getting older and have more activities, her weekends are pretty busy. Even though I love taking pictures outside, I'm a lot more comfortable inside with the camera. I will wait for my daughter on really special makes because I love the greenery in my complex and how they frame my summer makes. Next on the cutting table is another button down. It's going to be March kinda spring not May kinda spring for the next two weeks so summer dresses aren't appealing to me right not. So I thought I would work on another button down. That's what's I'm sewing now....as always more later!

This dress looks fabulous. I just love it and it looks terrific on you. I love it with the higher heel and without the sweater. You did such a terrific job maximizing the fabric print in such an inventive way -- Brava! I hope you wear it multiple times.

Gorgeous lady wearing fabulous dress. Looks fantastic without the sweater but in a/c you may need it. You have a way of picking out the right fabric for the pattern. Today's dumb question what is ITY?Blessings​,Baa

Google says:ITY Knit. ITY stands for Interlock Twist Yarn. It is a method of putting a twist in yarn used for knit fabrics resulting in a more natural elasticity and a soft feel inside & out. ITY knits are easy to sew with and quite popular for tops, dresses, skirts and flowy pants.

Hello Again. I have been away from blog reading for a while and while entering the fray once more I came across you and immediately remembered. I credit you for inspiring me to make dresses. Forever I wore suits for business and separates for everything else. From your blog I saw that you were not a size 8-10 and you looked wonderful and very confident I. Your appearience and craft. I realized I needed to learn how to fix my fitting problems and set out to become proficient in FBAs, sway back adjustments and getting the sArmhole fitted correctly on sleeveless garments. I have read, watched videos and in person seminars. I have not mastered it all but I have improved significantly. So I came out of hiding and recieved many compliments and I owe that to being confident in wearing cloths that you love. Now I love dresses too

Lillie - I remember you too! I'm thrilled that my dresses inspired you and caused you to up your game. Though my life has changed quite a bit from wearing those more tailored dresses now. Glad you're back to reading blogs and hope you will leave a comment more often now. Thanks for this one!

I really love this length on you, especially with the higher heeled sandals. So feminine and elegant! It has a real garden party feel to it.

I'm not a big fan of this sweater with it though. I think if you wear it with a sweater it needs to be longer and darker. You look so slender in the dress but the short white sweater seems to break the line and read as blocky. A sweater doesn't necessarily have to be black though. Maybe a deep red, low hip length fine guage sweater?

Jenny - I still want a maxidress version of this one. I just have to find 5 yards of fabric in the collection that I like! :) And thanks for noticing the border placement, that worked but I lost fabric I needed for the lining.

I love this dress on you. I has "shapely" lines. I think the print placement is genius! The sweater is nice - you could go wild and wear something like a fuchsia or a green sweater just as easily with this great b/w print.

That's a beautiful border print. Love that you were able to find a way to make it work with your pattern given the limited quantity you had to work with. I haven't made much clothing for myself in many years, but you are inspiring me to move back in that direction with my sewing.

Gee Carolyn, I think it's a shame to cover it with a cardigan. It looks just great on you without it. My first impression was that it was totally cute on you, but in the end, it's how you feel wearing it!

Oh Carolyn, how could you not be in love with this dress? I love it without the cardigan. I think the entire dress needs to be seen. I think the length is perfect and you just seem to glow in it. You also look thinner without the cardigan. IMO

Oh this is absolutely gorgeous Carolyn. The first picture is a stunner, and you look fantastic in this dress. You used the border print so well, and I too love it without the cardi. It will be great in the summer with your sandals, and I am sure many favourable comments will come your way.

Carolyn, I love this dress, I think it is really great looking on you. I am a fan of black n white prints and your print placement is just fabulous. You should wear it without the sweater because it is much more flattering that way. Just my never humble opinion!

interesting that you are lukewarm on this dress as I think it looks fantastic on you, one of your best combos of fabric with style. Length, shape, print are very pretty. I prefer it without the cardigan. shame that it's ITY as I know what you meant about that fabric, not my fav either. Hope you make this pattern again!

I LOVE this dress on you! I think the print is beautiful. Hopefully time in the magic closet makes you love it more. I might pair it with a bright colorful cardigan - pink maybe. Anyway - it's a great make and I love the length. g

I agree with the general consensus--love the border print placement--but not with the sweater and flats. I think it's a beautiful print and although I'm not an ITY fan either, from the photos it looks great. You could always cut off the bodice to make it a skirt and wear it with colorful twinset.

Oh, DAY-AM this looks so fabulous! Lengthening the skirt was brilliant, getting all the fabulous floral border and balancing it with slimming black on the hips. The bodice is also gorgeous -- don't cover it up! The close-fit sweater somehow doesn't look right with the flowing, airy look of the rest, so I agree with the majority on that. This dress is dramatic with a capital "D", just as a good black and white should be. You did an outstanding job! Cindy (Creative Hormone Rush)

Really love this style of dress on you. Love the print and the fit is so flattering. Definitely make more. I also like it with that cardigan, especially the shorter length. It's shorter than your other ones and perfect for that dress.

Oh, one more thing! Kudos on getting the white flowers "just so" on the bottom of the black sleeves. It adds a perfect balance to the dress and really pops the whole thing. Hats off to the master!!! Cheers, Cindy (Creative Hormone Rush)

It looks fantastic on you, love the print placement and the subtle v neckline. ITY is my go to dress fabric for our hot humid summers, I often wear a slip underneath (in one of those wicking type stretch fabrics) if I'm worried it's a bit too thin.